Crystal growth apparatus with movable seed fixture

Abstract

A crucible device for growing crystals includes a container being arrangeable in a heating chamber of a heating apparatus, and a seed fixture element. The container includes a base section and the seed fixture element includes a seed surface which is configured for attaching a seed crystal. The seed fixture element is moveable coupled to the base section such that the distance between the seed surface and the base section is adjustable.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A heating apparatus for growing crystals, the apparatus comprising
 a heating chamber, and 
 a crucible device for growing the crystals, the crucible device comprising
 a container arranged in the heating chamber of the heating apparatus, and 
 a seed fixture element, 
 
 wherein the container comprises a base section, 
 wherein the seed fixture element comprises a seed surface which is configured for attaching a seed crystal, 
 wherein the seed fixture element is movably coupled to the base section such that a distance between the seed surface and the base section is adjustable, 
 wherein the base section comprises a receiving hole in which the seed fixture element is moveable in and out for adjusting the distance between the seed surface and the base section, 
 wherein at least one spacer element is arranged between the base section and the seed fixture element, 
 wherein the at least one spacer element comprises a further receiving hole in which the seed fixture element is movably arranged and the at least one spacer element is movable inside the receiving hole of the base section so that the at least one spacer element and the seed fixture element are extractable in a telescopic manner between a maximal extracted position and a retracted position, 
 wherein in the retracted position the seed surface and a surface of the base section are arranged within a common plane, and 
 wherein the at least one spacer element is movably coupled to the base section and the seed fixture element is movably coupled to the at least one spacer element. 
 
     
     
       2. The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base section and the seed fixture element are coupled by a screw connection such that upon rotating one of the base sections and the seed fixture element the distance between the seed surface and the base section is adjustable. 
     
     
       3. The heating apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a rotating actuator coupled to at least one of the base sections and the seed fixture element for rotating base section and the seed fixture element. 
 
     
     
       4. The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spacer element is coupled to at least one of the base sections and the seed fixture element by a screw connection such that upon rotating the at least one spacer element the distance between the seed surface and the base section is adjustable. 
     
     
       5. The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base section forms a bottom section or a top section of the container. 
     
     
       6. A method for growing crystals by the heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , the method comprising
 adjusting the distance between the seed surface and the base section by moving the seed fixture element relative to the base section, for which reason the at least one spacer element is arranged between the base section and the seed fixture element, 
 wherein the at least one spacer element is movably coupled to the base section and the seed fixture element is movably couples to the at least one spacer element, 
 wherein the at least one spacer element comprises a further receiving hole in which the seed fixture element is movably arranged and the at least one spacer element is movable inside the receiving hole of the base section so that the at least one spacer element and the seed fixture element are extractable in a telescopic manner between a maximal extracted position and a retracted position, 
 wherein in the retracted position the seed surface and a surface of the base section are arranged within a common plane. 
 
     
     
       7. The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base section forms a lid of the container.